My Yoga Journey
Namaste
Yoga has been a part of my life for many years, and my practice has helped me grow both on and off the mat. Through the connection of body, mind and breath, I am reminded every day to live more mindfully, grow stronger and be more fearless.
My ongoing journey with yoga began when I attended an Ashtanga Yoga class for the first time in my home town of Bournemouth. Feeling stressed from my busy NHS job, I thought yoga might be a good way to find some balance. I had no idea about different approaches to yoga and what they meant. I still remember belly flopping and struggling my way through that intense hour of Ashtanga Yoga. Undeterred, I left feeling inspired, I wanted to learn more and get better. I got some private tuition and kept practising; in class, at home, anywhere.
A few years later I left Dorset for London and my busy job meant my yoga practice became sporadic. I was using yoga as a pain management tool and stress-buster, making my practice feel forced, less connected and unbalanced. The pressures of my work did lead me to explore meditation and I was amazed at its impact on my productivity and ability to focus. My role involved extensive international travel. I would often seek out local yoga classes in new cities and I was fortunate to experience an array of different types of yoga all around the world.
When I left London and that life behind, yoga called me again. This time, I had a desire to journey deeper into the traditions of the practice - philosophy, techniques, theory, meditation and anatomy. I am still on that journey. I was led to the Anand Prakash Ashram in Rishikesh, India to practice Akhanda Yoga. I stayed for a month and experienced my first taste of the holistic traditions of Hatha Yoga with a full and balanced repertoire of techniques, including asana, pranayama, meditation, sound-work and philosophy. It had never occurred to me that I might teach yoga one day, I simply wanted to learn. A few months later I found myself back at the Ashram but this time for teacher training. It was a truly insightful and life changing experience and I am forever grateful.
Hari Om
My practice and training is a lifelong journey. I completed my teacher training in Akhanda Yoga with world renowned Himalayan Master, Yogrishi Vishvketu (PhD). I am deeply grateful for the loving wisdom all of my teachers have shared with me.
